Andrew Davison: Lead Vocal, Yamaha and Seagull 6 String Guitars, John Rogerson 7 String Guitar and Dave Freshwater 10 String Bouzouki
Graeme Carroll: Rosta Capek A4 Exclusive Mandolin
Influences
Show of Hands, Jez Lowe, Tom Bliss/Tom Napper, Nancy Kerr/James Fagan, Chris Thile, Simon Mayor, James Taylor, Mark Knopfler, Fairport Convention, Kieran Halpin, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, John Denver, Classic Rock (yes really...) and of course beer...
Sounds Like
Shades of Show of Hands, Jez Lowe and Tom Bliss, but with an altogether unique sound unlike anything else on the circuit.
Brother Crow are an acoustic duo from Weardale, in the heart of rural North East England, who perform original narrative songs about the people, places and historical events of their local area and beyond.
Andrew Davison, who plays guitar and ten-string bouzouki, is the duo’s lyricist and main songwriter. He combines powerful rhythm and delicate finger-style to dramatic effect and uses his evocative lyrics and strong sense of narrative to paint imaginative pictures for the audience.
Graeme Carroll is an accomplished mandolin player and accompanist. His playing has a complexity which combines affection for traditional tunes/playing with a modern melodic style.
Brother Crow’s live performances have been described as intense, captivating, haunting and passionate. The dark nature of some of their songs being counter-balanced by a strong stage presence, a natural sense of humour and fun and a deep knowledge of their subject matter.
Recently, the duo won the Klondike Folk Arts Competition at Ryedale Folk Weekend for their song "As Children We Would Run" and the Tommy Armstrong Best Song Trophy at Durham Traditional Music Festival for “Once Their Were So Few”.
Their critically acclaimed debut CD "One For Sorrow" was released in June 2007 and their new CD, to be called "Hollow Hills", was released on the 15th September 2008.
QUOTES
“A formidable acoustic duo .Their song-writing demonstrates a canny knack for creating material that is at once timeless, soaking up traditional influences and telling a great story. The strength of their material suggests they have written songs that may well be with us for a long time to come”
- Mike Wilson, Folking.Com, August 2007.
"Original music replete with the charm of the duo’s native Weardale. Thumbs Up."
- fRoots Magazine, December 2007.
"These songs are certainly memorable, many of them peculiarly haunting, and their lyrics suitably evocative."
- Folk Roundabout, November 2007.
"This CD with it's 11 tracks is an absolute gem."
- Weardale Gazette, December 2007.
"An exceptional debut. Brother Crow offer their audience profound, penetrating, intense songs delivered with feeling and passion...a talent many will envy."
- FolkWords, February 2008.
"We think Brother Crow are the next Show of Hands (yes, they really are that good!), so go and see them if they're in your area or book them for your club"
- Audience Member, Ryedale Folk Weekend 2008 (via the Mudcat Forums), May 2008
“Enchanting”
- Sue Marchant, BBC Radio Cambridge, June 2008
"Absolutely superb. Their songs are hauntingly beautiful and lean heavily on the narrative, turning each into a captivating story full of meaning."
- NorthEastLive.Net, July 2008
PURCHASE CDs
You can purchase the Brother Crow CDs "One For Sorrow" and "Hollow Hills" (£10 each + £1.20 postage) using the following link:
thank you very much for your friendship - now that we have been on your site and listened to a few of your songs we really feel honoured to get a request from you. Your music is so stunning , hauntingly beautiful and powerful at the same time - it gives us the goosebumps ! I will come back to listen to more music - there is definately an influence there from "Show of Hands". I hope your future is bright ...you certainly deserve it !
Lots of love and wishes from Andrea and Buddy. xxxxxxx
Hey Brother Crow! Love the songs and the music. Thanks so much for the friendship will be able to drop by now and listen to your great music. Thanks! And i too hope our paths cross and i get to hear you live sometime. Thank again. Betty. X
Come on down to 3345 relax and enjoy the music or bring your guitar and join in with the open mike slots All welcome with or without a guitar from 8pm onwards....
Thanks for checking out Charlie’s pages, we’re pleased to have you onboard! We hope you enjoyed her music and will continue to visit for all the latest news, downloads and updates. Please stop by Charlie’s other websites below.
Come on down to 3345 relax and enjoy the music or bring your guitar and join in with the open mike slots All welcome with or without a guitar from 8pm onwards....
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hi Brother Crow, thank you for supporting me and my music! I wanted to let you know that my new single, "Live For Today", will be out on the 12th of October! The new album, "Fragile", is due out in November. http://www.tanjamaritsa.co.uk
Come on down to 3345 relax and enjoy the music or bring your guitar and join in with the open mike slots All welcome with or without a guitar from 8pm onwards....